"The Significance of One Little Greek Word !"

James 2:17-26 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one GOD; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead ? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar ? 

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect ? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed GOD, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of GOD. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way ? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

     The Greek word koris means "without, apart from." It is fascinating how this little word is utilized in biblical passages that have tremendous doctrinal significance:

(1)  Nothing was created apart from JESUS CHRIST: "Without HIM was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3).

(2)  JESUS CHRIST was totally without sins: HE "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

(3)  Apart from CHRIST, all men are totally without hope: "At that time ye were without CHRIST . . . having no hope, and without GOD in the world" (Ephesians 2:12).

(4) Without holiness, no one will see the LORD: "Follow . . . holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD" (Hebrews 12:14).

(5)  Apart from the shedding of CHRIST's blood there is no forgiveness of sins: "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:25).

(6)  GOD uses people to disseminate HIS Gospel: "How shall they hear without a preacher ?" (Romans 10:14).

(7)  A person is not saved by trying to keep the Law or by trying to perform good works: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law . . . GOD imputeth righteousness without works" (Romans 3:28; 4:6).

(8)  It is impossible for a person to please GOD apart from faith: "But without faith it is impossible to please HIM" (Hebrews 11:6).

(9)  We cannot accomplish anything of eternal value apart from abiding in CHRIST: "He that abideth in ME, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without ME ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).

(10) A living faith will be accompanied by good works: "Faith without works is dead . . . For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (vv.20,26) GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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